Aspiring Porsche racers: “Start Your Engines!” - 4th of April 2008
Dealer Principal Terry Knight will contest the new GT3 Cup Challenge in a PCGC liveried 996 Cup Car
A low-cost series for aspiring Porsche racers has received the backing of Porsche and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
The “Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia” will allow owners of predominantly 996-series GT3 Cup Cars, GT3 road cars and previous generation 911 race cars to compete in a national series committed to quality racing without the professional price tag.
The move follows the successful implementation of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge series in other countries.
“The introduction of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in Australia is a stepping stone from grass-roots Porsche motor sport to elite national championship level such as Carrera Cup,” said Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler.
Four rounds have been confirmed for the 2008 series; with events to take place in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
“Not everyone that races a Porsche has the means to be a professional racer,” explains Winkler. “The GT3 Cup Challenge is about offering the non-professional Porsche racer a high level of competition without prohibitive costs.”
Indeed, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is a strategic layer in the Porsche motor sport pyramid by providing an opportunity for aspiring competitors to hone their skills before stepping up to the highly-competitive Carrera Cup Championship.
With the promise of low entry fees and travel subsidies for competitors traveling interstate a solid field of cars is expected in this year’s maiden series.
Supporting the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge’s status as a genuine mid-level tier of motor sport, Porsche Cars Australia will support competitors with on-track spare parts and preferential pricing at every round.
“This is club-level motor sport taken one step further,” says Winkler. “There will be no category or series entry fees which will help ensure costs are kept to a minimum. And instead of flashy transporters and corporate marques, competitors are likely to tow their race car on a trailer and enjoy a BBQ with their mates.”
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will be run by Challenge Cup Promoters Pty Ltd, who has appointed experienced motor sport administrator, Jodi Zylstra, to implement the series. Jodi previously administered the Carrera Cup Championship.
The first round of the series will be at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway on April 26 & 27. Enquiries can be directed to Jodi Zylstra: Administrator, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia at jodi@gt3cupchallenge.com.au or 1300 855 956.